Tails of the Apocalypse

One

The end of the world as the world knew it came rather suddenly. Humanity’s influence on the grand scale of things led to—as many had feared and predicted—a catastrophe in every way conceivable. Political espionage, corruption, and corporate greed ran roughshod over the Earth, destroying humanity in one fell swoop. Nearly every nation succumbed in a matter of hours, once the cascading Collapse began. Humanity went out without a bang, and for that matter, barely a whimper.

Of the seven billion people living when the world ended, only a few thousand souls survived—not even enough people to fill a modest football stadium or concert hall. Most survivors were living on outlying islands in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia and were thus spared—for a time. Within six months, most of them were gone too, victims of the plague unleashed by the Earth’s core in retribution for a century of cumulative abuse. Fracking for oil and natural gas was the undoing of man.

The Earth began repairing itself almost immediately. In short order, animals reclaimed dominance over their near-extinct Human masters with a swiftness impossible had more than a few Humans survived. One-time pets were now rulers of all they surveyed. Once removed from under the rule of mankind, animals’ natural instincts came to the fore. Unfettered by Human dominance, their intelligence developed rapidly.

Animals born natural enemies became amicable inhabitants of the same space. Without humanity encroaching and poaching, food and water became plentiful once again, lessening animosity between species. While hunters still hunted and prey still fed them, a harmony and balance unlike any seen before mankind’s ascension was restored.

But this tale isn’t just about endings. It’s also about beginnings.

Two

Life in Davao City was always relatively easy, even before the Collapse. Then, with the people gone, paradise began living up to its name in earnest. While there were many animals living in Davao, two groups made up the majority—the Bat colony on Samal Island, who identified themselves as the Bats of Paradise; and the colony of Budgerigars, or simply Budgies, who identified themselves as the Birds of Paradise.

Budgies and Bats, while not normally enemies, shared an easy alliance in the renewed world. Both groups worked together toward mutual, comfortable survival. The common enemies of Bats and Budgies included Cats, Rats, and occasionally Dogs. In the months immediately following the Collapse, many Budgies were lost to raids by these predators, and likewise, Bats sometimes fell prey to the same raiders, if less often. And so the two flyers became natural allies for mutual protection.

When the alliance between Bats and Budgies was forged, a council was formed to manage it. Called the Wings of Paradise, it was composed of six members, three from each colony. Two of the three representatives were Elders, chosen for their knowledge and ability to exercise rational, clearheaded thought. The remaining member of each group was a Youngling, chosen for their flight skills, bravery, and willingness to learn.

All three of the Budgie council members—Max and Hettie, the Elders, and Vic, the Youngling—had been human pets before the Collapse. All the Bats came from the wild and so had little experience with Humans before their extinction, save with the visitors who’d snapped pictures of them at their main colony cave.

The oldest of the Bats was called Bongse. He was a skilled hunter and always knew where to find the best insects whenever the colony ventured out in search of sustenance. His fellow Elder on the council was Magsay, who’d given birth to many strong pups and was revered for her expertise in raising capable Bats, as well as for her hunting prowess. Whenever members of one of the colonies were sick or elderly and couldn’t hunt for themselves, it was Magsay who organized the other Bats and Budgies to provide for them. Rounding out the Wings of Paradise council was a Bat pup named Kal.

The council’s job was ensuring the mutual protection of both species, as well as seeking new territories for expanding the colony. Each species trained a Guardian class to secure the perimeter around both colonies and repel any attackers that might threaten them. Budgies provided daytime protection, while Bats covered the night watch.

Others were trained as Kidapawan, who roamed far afield in search of new areas suitable for offshoot colonies to expand the territories of the two species. The night-flying Bats of the Kidapawan were responsible for aerial scouting, while the day-flying Budgies performed ground observations and identified food and water sources. Once these scouts discovered an area suitable for both species, Transplants—small groups of Bats and Budgies—would leave each of the main colonies and begin the settlement process.

On the seventh such mission, Humans were seen for the first time in as many generational cycles.

Three

As the afternoon waned, the setting sun shone like brilliant diamonds on the ocean. Vic, the Youngling Budgie council member, and Via, his sister, made a final sweep of the island they’d been exploring for much of the day. The previous evening, smoke had been seen near the center of the small island; but closer inspection by the Bats patrolling couldn’t confirm it, so a daytime patrol was dispatched to investigate further. A small, nearby cave system held promise as a new colony home, and the presence of smoke so close to it was worrisome.

“I still don’t see anything,” carped Via. “We should head back. I’m getting hungry.”

“All right. Quit complaining. Let’s do one more low sweep over that clearing, then we’ll rest for a bit before heading home,” Vic replied. “There are some ripe mangoes down there we can snack on.”

“I guess that works,” Via said reluctantly.

The pair began their descent, sweeping in tight circles around the open area populated by coco palms and papaya and banana trees. Vic led them down, with Via riding close on his tail feathers. As they made their final circle aiming for the grove of mangoes, Via squawked a warning before shooting straight up and away from her brother. Taken by surprise, Vic nevertheless followed suit, quickly catching up to her as she settled, fluttering her wings, at the top of a coconut tree.

“What’s your problem?” he yelled, landing beside her.

“There are Humans there! Didn’t you see them? There are three big ones and two little ones.”

Vic hadn’t seen anything, but he was loath to admit it to her. “Of course I saw them. I wanted to get a closer look, before you scared the crap out of me. We should find out if there are more of them. This place would be a perfect offshoot site, so long as it isn’t too overrun with Humans.”

“I don’t want to live anywhere near Humans,” Via snapped. “They stink and make too much awful noise.”

It was something Vic had heard before. He and Via had been adopted by very different Humans. Via’s owners had kept her cage-bound, never letting her out to fly or stretch her wings. She’d lived her entire life indoors before the Collapse and now, with the freedom of a clear-blue sky to fly in, considered her life under the rule of Humans as near-imprisonment—the din they’d made, the constant, oppressive odors they’d created. Looking back on that time, Via found her memories of cooking chicken and a blaring Tee-Vee particularly offensive. It was only by chance that one of her owners had opened her cage to feed her when he was struck down by the Collapse Plague. His death had been her harbinger of freedom.

Vic simply couldn’t understand Via’s attitude, mainly because his Humans hadn’t been so bad. He’d been allowed free flight inside their home and could come and go from his cage as he wished. Because he’d been treated relatively well by them, he held a higher opinion of Humans than most Budgies. Deep down, if he were honest with himself, Vic missed his Humans. He missed their attention and their providing food and water for him. But if he were ever to acknowledge that, he’d likely lose his seat on the council. His was a minority opinion.

“They’re not all so bad, you know,” he said. “You just got unlucky with yours. I don’t want to live with Humans again either, but it might not be a bad thing to have some around. They build things that we can use as shelter, you know. So we don’t have to live in the trees.”

“But we’re meant to live in the trees, you dolt. We’re birds. Being caged isn’t natural. Just ask any of the Elders. I bet Hettie would spew seeds at you if you repeated to her what you just said to me. Even Max—”

“Okay, okay. Point taken. Stop breaking my beak. Look, I want to go take a closer look while we still have the light. If I can see how many Humans are down there, then we can assess how big a risk transplanting to that area would be.”

“Fine, but I’m staying here.”

“Scaredy bird!” Vic shouted. He quickly took wing before Via could retaliate.

His flyby confirmed what Via had seen. Five Humans—an adult male, two females, and two children. They were using the cave as shelter and had cleared the area in front of it for a fire pit. Vic couldn’t tell if they’d begun constructing a more permanent shelter, but he didn’t think so. Now the night fliers would need to confirm what he and his sister found and determine, if possible, if the Humans were establishing a permanent presence in the area. It was possible the Humans were only passing through, but Vic doubted it. The island was a good ways away from the mainland, and no boats had been spotted on the shores. That suggested an intent to stay.

As he motioned for Via to follow and they headed back to the colony, Vic wished they’d never flown this way. He had a bad feeling about what was going to happen when they reported back to the council that Humans were nearby.

Four

As word of the Humans’ discovery swept through both colonies, reactions were mixed. Many Bats and Budgies alike held the opinion that the Humans should be left alone to either destroy themselves or thrive, as nature determined. Others were more vocal in their protests, demanding something be done about them to ensure the safety of the colonies.

Budgie Elders Max and Hettie were discussing the issue when Bongse and Magsay, the Bat Elders on the council, joined them.

“We should just leave them be and observe only,” Max was saying. “As it is, they’re in no position to harm us, nor would they be likely to even if they were capable of doing so.”

“While I agree with you for the most part,” Hettie nodded, “I do think it would be in our best interests to be prepared, just in case they attempt to relocate to Davao.”

Bongse spoke up then. “Hettie is correct. We must be prepared for the eventuality that the Humans will migrate back to the mainland and threaten us. We must take steps to prevent them destroying what we’ve built and will build in the future. They’ve had their time to shine, to rule this planet. They squandered that chance and destroyed themselves in the process. And how many other species as well? No, we cannot allow them the opportunity to do again as they did before… and, perhaps, destroy more than themselves this time.”

Magsay flexed her wings in agreement. “I agree, Bongse, but what can we do? We don’t have the capability to defend ourselves or our colonies like you suggest. We rule the trees and the air. This is something best left to those who rule on the ground—the Dogs and Cats and Rats.”

“While that may be true, we cannot rely on the others to fight our battles for us. And I will not turn over our fate to those who might make peace with the Humans. I don’t trust Humans to honor any such peace treaties,” Bongse replied.

“Then what would you have us do, Bongse?” asked Max. “Attack and destroy them before they can destroy us? How many of us would you kill with that course? You’re suggesting the same kind of rash action that resulted in the Humans destroying themselves. Are we to become like they are now out of some misguided attempt to avoid extinction at their hands? Now, wouldn’t that be ironic! What’s your opinion, Hettie? You’re unusually quiet.”

Hettie appeared hesitant to speak. Finally, with a deep breath, she began. “Max, I have given Bongse’s suggestion a great deal of thought, and I must concur with his assessment. We must take action now to defend ourselves, while we have the advantage. Magsay is too meek to admit this, but I can see it in her eyes—she feels as I do… as we all should. The Humans may be harmless now, but they will not be so in the future. History shows us the course of the future. They’ll multiply and spread as they did before. They’ll consume everything they touch.” Hettie swallowed hard. Very quietly, she said, “They mustn’t be allowed to live.”

As Hettie spoke, a grim coldness settled into Bongse’s eyes, but Max looked shocked by what his fellow Budgie was suggesting. Magsay seemed sad but didn’t argue with Hettie.

“We must see how the others in the colonies feel about this,” Max sputtered. “We cannot make a decision this momentous without the input of all who will be affected.”

“Very well,” Hettie stated. “A meeting of the colonies has been called for, and we will hear arguments both for and against action regarding the Human camp. Whatever action—or inaction—is deemed necessary will be decided tomorrow by all of us… together.”

“This is so unreal, Kal. I can’t believe this is happening.”

Shaking her wings and chirping quietly, Tal—sister to Kal, the Bat pup on the council—was beside herself. The pair had been eavesdropping on the Elders’ conversation, though Kal could have joined it as a council member. Instead, he’d chosen to remain hidden in the shadows. “We have to go and talk to the others! We have to get a handle on this before a huge mistake is made.”

Kal sighed, drawing his sister away as the Elders went their separate ways. “We have until tomorrow, although I don’t know what good we can do in just a few hours.”

“We must try to convince the others that the Humans don’t deserve whatever it is Bongse and Hettie have planned for them. I’m afraid of what will become of all of us if we don’t use restraint now, when we have the opportunity to show mercy.”

“Let’s find Vic and Via and see where the other young Budgies stand,” Kal suggested.

Tal nodded her head with nervous energy. “If they don’t stand on the side of reason, we’re all doomed,” she said. “Surely they’ll listen.”

“I wish I could maintain your sense of optimism, Sister. But I don’t think it’s going to be that easy.”

When they found Vic and Via, the two Budgies were heavily debating the Human question. Judging by the amount of tension in the air, they were clearly on opposite sides of the issue.

“It’s just as Elder Bongse says, Vic. The Humans must not be allowed to survive and thrive. It cannot happen, or we’ll all suffer the consequences.”

“Your opinion is colored by your past experience with Humans, not by rational thought,” her brother answered. He was clearly becoming agitated. “As a whole, we outnumber these Humans by millions to one. They cannot now, or ever again, pose a threat to our survival. It’s insane to think otherwise.”

“And I suppose your opinion isn’t influenced by your experience with the Humans you lived with?” retorted Via, her wings flapping anxiously. “And you call me biased! You’re a hypocrite, Vic!”

Her brother leaned back, scratching at her underbelly with a claw, and soon both birds were striking each other with claw and wing as only siblings can, screeching and flinging curses at one another.

“See, Tal, I told you it wasn’t going to be that easy,” Kal said dryly as they approached. Both Bats were careful to give the feuding pair a wide berth.

“Guys! Cut it out!” implored Tal. “We have to talk about this rationally!”

After a few moments of continued pleading by Tal, the Budgies reluctantly separated and set about preening themselves to put their feathers back in order and calm the ire coursing through them. In a short time, they were even preening each other carefully, almost lovingly. Their anger had burned brightly, but also passed quickly.

“Look, I can understand both sides of the argument,” continued Tal, “as I think most can. But don’t you think we should err on the side of caution rather than resort to brutality among ourselves or against the Humans?” Tal said. “Haven’t we always damned them for choosing that very course?”

“I guess, when you put it that way,” Via grudgingly admitted. “The last thing I want to be is like a Human.”

“We’ve spoken with many of the other Budgies and they’re as torn as we are,” Vic explained. “It’s going to come down to how the Elders speak about the matter, I think. Their opinion will likely sway the younger birds. One way or the other.”

“This is not good news,” Kal replied. “If what you say is true, we might just be going to war.”

Five

The next day, both colonies met and arguments commenced. Many on both sides were neutral and couldn’t care less what was decided. That is, until Bongse spoke. His words chilled all but the world-weariest of Budgies and Bats present.

“Humans rose to power by eating one another, by trampling on those species they considered lesser and then consuming them too. As the Human population grew, so did their greed, their lust for power and domination—not only over the weakest of their own species, but over all they could conquer. They treated their home, our Earth, with such disdain that it rose up and consumed them. A just fate, that.

“I feel no sorrow or pity for these creatures. I feel nothing at all for them, just as they felt nothing at all for the lives they extinguished. I would not see them come to power again. We must end them now, here, while we have a chance. Not only must we exterminate those five so close to discovering our colonies, but we must seek out survivors elsewhere and destroy them as well. Humans must never again be allowed to have the power of life and death over other creatures.

“We must, as one force of Budgies and Bats, rise up and strike down the enemy. Go forth and retrieve any weapon you can fit in your talons and claws. We—with our millions of wings strong—will rain down a final fate upon these creatures who would become masters again over a world where no masters are or ever were needed. Nature is and should be our only master, and nature demands this final sacrifice of life to guarantee the survival of all.”

The chamber erupted as Bats and Budgies argued fiercely with angry words sharp as talons. But soon the naysayers were shouted down by Bongse’s supporters, who’d been whipped into a frenzy of fear by his ominous warning. Some seemed ready to take flight at that very moment.

“Think about what you’re doing here, Bongse,” Vic cried out. “We cannot behave this way and expect to survive our—”

“The decision has been made, Vic,” Bongse replied coldly. “The majority agree that we have no choice.”

“What? I didn’t hear a vote! There must be an alternative to murdering them with no provocation!”

“Enough, Vic! It is done.”

For several long moments, no one made a sound. The pervasive quiet was eerie and uncomfortable in the wake of Bongse’s pronouncement. Finally, the silence was broken as Budgies and Bats alike took wing to do his bidding and carry out the attack. Amidst the flurry of activity, a minority began once again to argue against the Bat Elder’s final solution to the Human problem. But it was too little too late.

Paralyzed by the chaos around them, Vic and Kal, the Younglings on the council, faced a difficult choice. Should they choose to speak out further against Bongse, they could be exiled from their respective colonies. At the very least, they would likely lose their positions on the council and be shamed, with derision and scorn heaped upon them, should they choose to stay. Seeing no real chance to dissuade their species from their murderous course, Vic, Via, Kal, and Tal raced to the Human settlement to try to warn them.

But by the time the Younglings arrived the Humans were already dead. The Human elders had clearly died protecting the young as wave after wave of Bats and Budgies flew sorties over their small camp, first pelting them with sticks, stones, and shells from above before ripping them apart with beaks and claws and teeth. They’d had no chance to retreat to their cave for protection. In the end, their pitted flesh and broken bodies would lie unburied in the sun, their lives forgotten by all but the few who’d shunned the slaughter.

When it was all over, when the attack was finally halted and the victory celebration by most had begun, the Younglings made a decision regarding their future with the colonies. Vic and Via, Kal and Tal, and less than a hundred others of both species requested an audience with the council Elders.

Though he dreaded it, Vic began the conversation that would change their lives forever.

“Council Elders Bongse, Magsay, Hettie, and Max. As you know, we council Younglings were opposed, for the most part, to your decision to eradicate the Humans. We feel that, with a little more consideration and a little more time, we could have found a better alternative, some other way to ensure the safety of the colonies. We feel that you acted just as the Humans of old would have. And by doing so, you’ve proven they were not the only creatures on this planet who are selfish and greedy, malicious and murderous.

“Your actions, whether you realize it or not, have doomed these colonies to collapse. You’ve planted the seeds of hatred within your own colonists, and before long these seeds will no doubt spring forth to kill all that you see, all that you now hold dear. The very thing you were so afraid of in Humans has now taken root in our own society—and that’s your doing. You have become the very thing you so feared and despised.

“I am ashamed—I am mortified—to have witnessed your act of barbarism against the Humans. I cannot be a member of a society that sanctions such slaughter. So it’s with a heavy heart that I must hereby resign from my position on the council. Kal also offers his resignation. We, along with the others in the colonies who agree with us, will depart immediately to begin our own colonies as far away from this tragedy as possible.”

The council Elders gaped, speechless, as Vic exited the meeting chamber followed by his sister, Kal, Tal, and the Bats and Budgies who would leave with them. None, not even the firebrand Bongse, could utter a word as they left.

Max seemed sad but resigned to Vic’s words. He knew them to be true. And a similar light of understanding was dawning on the faces of Magsay and Hettie. Understanding and loss. And a deep sense of mourning.

At daybreak the next day, the hundred or so new colonists began their journey to a new land and a new life. The Budgies would fly by day and the Bats would fly by night, each group meeting at sunset and sunrise to further plan their travels until they found a suitable place to settle down and begin life anew.